The Chocolate Tiberius is a rare superhot variety that combines striking appearance with intense heat. The Red Tiberius Mauler, a sibling to the Chocolate Tiberius Mauler, was the result of an unintentional cross discovered in 2019 by grower Brian Hamilton from a seed packet labeled “Jay’s Peach Ghost Scorpion x 7 Pot Primo.”
The Chocolate Tiberius Mauler’s pods are immediately recognizable for their gnarled, contorted shape, reminiscent of the 7 Pot Primo and Primotalii. Each pepper features heavily wrinkled skin and twisted tails, visual hallmarks of extreme heat. When mature, the pods ripen to a rich, earthy chocolate-brown, often with a subtle sheen that hints at the fire within. The color alone sets this pepper apart, adding a dramatic touch to both garden and plate.
Make no mistake—this is a superhot pepper. While not yet officially lab-tested, growers and pepper enthusiasts estimate the Chocolate Tiberius Mauler to exceed 1,200,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), placing it among the elite class of ultra-spicy varieties. The heat is intense and immediate, with a sharp bite that quickly blossoms into a full-mouth burn. It lingers, spreading deep and slow, offering the kind of endorphin rush that serious chiliheads seek.
What makes the Chocolate Tiberius Mauler truly special—beyond its sheer heat—is its dark, rich flavor. Like many brown superhots, it carries earthy, smoky, and slightly fruity undertones, and the initial taste offers a deceptive sweetness before the heat surges forward. This complexity makes it an exceptional choice for barbecue sauces, chili pastes, spicy rubs, and smoky hot sauces, where its depth can fully shine. When dried or powdered, it adds a robust, savory warmth that elevates dishes without sacrificing flavor.
The Chocolate Tiberius Mauler grows on medium-sized, high-yielding plants that produce a generous number of pods throughout the season. The pods typically measure 1.5–3 inches in length, with irregular shapes that vary from slightly bulbous to long and twisted. Like other superhots, it requires warm conditions and patience to reach full maturity, but the reward is worth the wait—a harvest of some of the most striking and potent peppers you can grow.
